[kzseattle]

Hey guys,

Since yesterday, the check engine light on my 2016 528xi turned on. It is persistent (not flashing). When I checked vehicle status on iDrive I see Engine Oil status is red. I suppose that means it needs oil change. I also saw service was due on 12/2023! The car had over 51K back then, now it has around 55K so that means I have driven about 4K miles since service was due.

I would of course take it to an Indy shop to have it checked out but they are closed on weekend and it could be another couple of days till before the appointment. Meanwhile, I am panicking if I have caused damaged by not getting service/oil change sooner and if that caused engine light to come on. So have come to this forum.

By the way, a week ago, I had front brakes replaced at that Indy shop for which they also topped off differential fluid. I wonder if check engine light just a week later is coincidental or whether topping off brake and differential fluid tripped something.

[smokinu454]

I can’t imagine them properly topping off any fluids would cause it. Have you check the oil level in idrive? If you aren’t low on oil I’d say you probably haven’t done any damage but it’s definitely a good idea to change the oil on time. Bmw says 10k miles but let’s face it bmw is only concerned about the car during warranty. I would be changing it every 5k miles on that car if it’s all stock. 3k miles if it’s modded. I’m honestly not sure on the oil change being overdue setting off the SEL, I’ve never let mine go that far. You could try resetting the oil change in idrive and see if it goes off?

[StradaRedlands]

Check engine light could be for just about any reason, so unless you pull codes
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But the oil is a concern... another day won't destroy the car, but there's a reason the timer is there. It's a condition based system, so it takes into account mileage/time/type of driving to come up with a change interval. It's already longer than what most enthusiasts prefer. I do 10k changes, many do 5k changes, the CBS may put it out to 14k! So if you're ~4k above that, you're pushing 18,000 mile oil change. That's on a high-revving over-taxed turbo 4cyl engine!
I say this with peace and love, but you need to take better care of your car.
BTW the mechanic should have noted that when they did the brakes. Red flag for finding another shop.

[kzseattle]

Thanks for the replies folk. Yes it is surprising the shop that did breaks work didn't do full inspection and checked oil level or service due message. I also agree overdue oil change alone wouldn't cause CEL. I am just worried if it caused some damage to engine that in turned caused CEL. But then CEL could something unrelated. I guess I will have to wait till I find out.

The reason I didn't notice service due message was that it would only briefly appear at the very bottom of dashboard upon starting the car and reading was obstructed by steering wheel. Wish it was more prominent.

[StradaRedlands]

The good news is that your engine is outside of the date range (Build date prior to March 2015) of N20 timing chain/guide failures.
Look that up for some nightmare fuel!

[kzseattle]

StradaRedlands,

oh gosh broken timing chain would have been terrible. I did have timing belt broken on my honda accord once on a freeway that destroyed the engine. The unfortunate part in that case was it wasn't an old timing belt. Rather, many people convinced me to have timing belt replaced as precaution so I had it replaced at a shop. I had driven a few miles after picking up the car from the shop when the new timing belt snapped!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by kzseattle

StradaRedlands,

oh gosh broken timing chain would have been terrible. I did have timing belt broken on my honda accord once on a freeway that destroyed the engine. The unfortunate part in that case was it wasn't an old timing belt. Rather, many people convinced me to have timing belt replaced as precaution so I had it replaced at a shop. I had driven a few miles after picking up the car from the shop when the new timing belt snapped!

That is the last thing you would expect! Hopefully they warrantied the replacement!!!

But yeah, the early (up to 2015) N20 engines had bad guides which lead to chain stretch would could lead to skipping a gear, which could lead to bad things happening! BMW changed the part and has some sort of a recall IIRC.

[kzseattle]

A few more updates. I checked engine oil level in iDrive and it is not low. Rather, its near max. I checked maintenance history and last oil change was done in Dec 2022 at 48K miles. Next oil change was due in Dec 2023 or 53K miles. I am 54.8K miles now so would only be 1.5K miles overdue. This doesn't sound too bad.

I also checked the report from Indy shop that did front breaks a week ago. They did note oil change was due under "needed repair" but am not sure if actually did it as they would have needed my authorization. Most likely they didnt or else they would have reset service needed status. Still, I am now very much doubting if overdue oil change by 1.5K would bring on CEL. Of course, oil change is still needed. The same Indy shop report also recommended replacing engine oil filter and cabin microfilter replacement.

In summary, the CEL appears unrelated to past due oil change

[StradaRedlands]

Time to invest: https://www.bimmergeeks.net/

[kzseattle]

Well, I tightened the gas cap and after driving for about 50 miles the CEL disappeared! Whew!

[Qsilver7]

Oil Service Due warning light and CEL are not connected.

The CEL (check engine light) is associated with your car's emission system...and is a warning light that was mandated by the 1996 OBD II federal mandate for all cars to have the same standard for recognition for air pollution. So the CEL warning light is related to systems that regulated fuel/ignition/air intake. If something in those systems registers a fault, then the CEL will illuminate.

Your owners manual will also have a description of what causes the CEL to illuminate. In most states, you can pull the OBD II codes for free (if you don't have your own scanner/reader) at local automotive stores like Autozone/Advanced Auto/O'Reilly's/Pep Boys/Napa/etc. You can get the generic 5 digit DTC (diagnostic trouble code) then use the internet to find info about it since these codes have been discussed for decades, now.




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[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by kzseattle

Well, I tightened the gas cap and after driving for about 50 miles the CEL disappeared! Whew!

I did that once... ended up taking it in to dealer who took three minutes and $100 to tell me I didn't put the gas cap back on.